Propelled wheeled skate



Jan. 2, 1951 PURKEY 2,536,569

PROPELLED WHEELED SKATE Filed March 19, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 1 //3 22m (l/LL W+ wall E. L. PURKEY PROPELLED WHEELED SKATE Jan. 2, 1951 5SheetsSheet 2 Filed March 19, 1947 1951 E. PURKEY PROPELLED WHEELEDSKATE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 19, 1947 v I gwue/wto'a w @127 cm,Mwm

Patented Jan. 2, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROPELLE'D WHEELEDSKATE Edward L.'Purke y, Oklahoma City, Okla. Application March 19,1947, Serial No. 735,773

This invention relates to wheeled skates and more particularly to skatesof this class, the wheels of which are driven by intermittent downwardpressure applied by the feet alternately to the respective right andleft skates.

The general object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedskate of this type, which is easy to operate and control, and possessesnumerous advantageous features making for greater flexibility andsafety.

Certain of the novel features are found in the improved resilient centersuspension and the arrangement for steering each skate by a simpletwisting movement of the lower leg and foot, the latter procedureinterfering in no way with the vertical reciprocating driving orpropelling movement of the center suspension.

Other novel features are involved in the details of the drivingmechanism and transmission,

including the arrangement of buffer and return springs, and the quietnon-chattering pawl.

Other objects and features of novelty, including brake devices, bootattachments protective sheathing, and other elements will be apparentfrom the following specification when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which one embodiment of the invention isillustrated by way of example.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a skate embodying the principlesof the invention, a part of the sheathing or fender construction beingbroken away for the sake of clear'ness of illustration of certain of theoperating parts;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the skate;

Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation of the boot attachment;

Figure 4 is a view in horizontal section of the skate taken on line 44of Figurel;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section and on an enlargedscale, of an intermediate portion of the skate, showing details of thepropelling mechanism;

Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary detail views similar to Figure 5,showing the driving pawl and ratchet in two different operativepositions;

Figure 8 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 ofFigure 5; V

Figure 9 is a horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken online 99 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the brakemechanism taken on line iii-l0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in transverse vertical section taken online I l-l l of FigurelO; and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on line l2--l2 ofFigure 4.

Referring now to the general view in Figure 1 it will be seen that theskate, designated broadly 13 Claims. (Cl. 280-11.11)

by the reference numeral It, comprises certain principal assembliesincluding the chassis frame or running gear assembly l2, the verticallyreciprocating central driving suspension or assembly indicated ,at l4,and the swivelling foot support employed for steering the skate anddesignated by the reference numeral 15.

The chassis ,or running gear l2 comprises the body frame 20 which has anupwardly and forwardly directed curved portion 2! within which isswivelled the stem or post 22 of the fork .23 for the forward steeringwheel 25. Rearwardly, the frame 29 is provided with the bifurcations 25which straddle the rear wheel 21 and are provided with slots 28 whichadiustably receive the hearing axle 29 of the wheel 2?. Referring alsoto Figure 9 of the drawings, in this connection, it will be seen that ahub 3%! is rotatably mounted upon the axle 29 and this hub carries asprocket wheel 3!. A shaft 32 is carried by the main central bodyportion of the frame 28 and one of the bifurcations 26 and spans arecess 33 in the frame. Upon this shaft and within the recess there isdisposed the driving sprocket wheel 3 3 which is connected with the rearWheel sprocket ,3] by means of the chain 35. The driving sprocket wheel34 is of peculiar construction and is adapted to be driven by noveltransmission connections which will be presently described. The wheels25 and 2'! are preferably provided with inflatable rubber tires 36.

A sheathing or fender construction 38 surrounds the chassis and protectsthe operative mechanism from damage and also acts as a mud guard toprevent spattering by the wheels when running through wet or muddyareas. The fender 38 may be attached to the chassis in any suitable wayas for example by means of the forward projecting supporting bar 39secured to the upwardly and forwardly extending portion 2| of the frame20, and by the brackets it which serve to connect the sheathing to therearward bifurcations 26 of the frame.

The reciprocating central driving suspension which serves as a flexiblecushioned support for the operator and also t propel the skate,comprises the horizontal plate or platform 45 which is best shown inFigures 1, 5 and 8 of the drawings. At the central portion of the platethere is secured the yoke or bracket 45, as by means of screws 4?, shownbest in Figure 8 of the drawings. The bracket 4G is of a generalU-shaped configuration and is rigidly supported upon the upper end ofthe vertical suspension bar 58. This bar is preferably of polygonal.cross-section in order to prevent rotation when it is received withinthe similarly shaped opening 5| in the chassis frame 29. A stop plate 53is secured, as by means of the bolt 54, to the lower end of the rod orbar 511 to prevent upward withdrawal of the rod or bar from the frame.The abutment plate 53 seats within the recess 55 in the frame, when atits upward limit of movement. At its upper end the bore 5! is widened toprovide the annular recess 55 within which is seated the coil spring 51which surrounds the shaft 50 and is adapted to buffer the downwardmovement of the plunger when the spring is compressed between thebracket 46 and the shoulder at the bottom of the seating recess 56. Thespring likewise affords a resilient cushioned shock absorber support forthe user, not only when the skates are being positively propelled butalso during coasting periods.

It will be understood that the vertical reciprocation of the centerdriving suspension I4 which includes the principal elements 45, 46, and50, effects the forward driving movement of the skate, and thetransmission from the suspension [4 to the drive sprocket 34 will now bedescribed. Pivotally secured as by means of the pin 60 to the anglebracket Bl carried by the U-shaped yoke 45 is the pitman 62, the lowerend of which is pivotally connected as by means of the pin 63 to thepawl-carrying driving lever or crank 65. The end of the lever 65 towhich the pitman 62 is connected is ofiset as at 66 from theintermediate portion 6?, which latter portion is disposed within thehollow sprocket wheel 34 as clearly shown in Figure 9 of the drawings.The intermediate portion 67 of the lever 65 is provided with a hub 69which is rockably mounted upon the shaft 32 independently of therotation of the sprocket wheel 34, and the rearward end of the lever 85supports the driving pawl 10.

The pawl H3 is pivotally mounted upon the rabbeted-out end of the leverE5 by means of the pin H and is provided with a tooth engaging point 12which cooperates with the angular ratchet teeth 13 which are internallydisposed upon the annular rim of the dished sprocket wheel 34. The teeth13 are preferably provided with a slight overhang, for a purpose whichwill be later described. The shank end of the pawl H1 is provided with aswivel pin 15 and a similar pin 16 projects inwardly from the adjacentportion of the bifurcation 26 of the chassis frame 20, and as close aspossible to the shaft 32. The pins l5 and It are connected by the coiledcompression and tension spring 71. Whenever the pins 15 and F6 aredisposed in their positions in which they are furtherest apart, thespring functions as a tension spring tending to urge the pins together.Contrariwise, when the two pins 15 and 15 are in the positions in whichthey most closely approach each other, the spring H is compressedbetween the pins.

The rabbeting of the end of the lever 65 provides a shoulder 79 which isso shaped and spaced with respect to the rear edge 80 of the pawl 10 asto permit the very slight pivotal movement of the pawl with respect tothe lever which is necessary for retraction and engagement of the point12 with the teeth 13 of the ratchet. The rear edge 8! of the pawl isshown at its limiting position in abutment with the shoulder 19 inFigure 6 of the drawings.

In order to restore the reciprocating suspension M to its uppermostposition when the downward pressure is relieved, the following mechanismis provided. Secured as by means of the bolts 82 to the rear portion ofthe frame 20 is the horizonal plate 83. Hinged as at 84 to the rear edgeof this plate is the vertical arm 85, and pivotally connected as at 86to the upper end of this arm is the angled restoring lever 81. The freeouter end of the lever 87 is provided with a rounded knob 88 whichcontacts the under side of the horizontal portion of the U-shaped yokeor bracket 45 and is adapted to be depressed upon downward movement ofthe yoke. Between the rearward straight portion 90 of the lever 81 andthe rearward portion of the plate 83 there is compressed the coil spring92, this spring being retained and centered by suitable guides orseating projections formed on the elements 83 and 95. The lever 85 andthe plate 83 are maintained in an approximately right angle relationshipby means of the two laterally disposed springs 33. The purpose of thespring 92, of course, is to urge the restoring lever 8! upwardly aboutits pivot 86, and in doing so there may be some slight tendency to movethe lever 85 to the left in Figure 5, and the springs 93 are adapted toresist any tendency in this direction.

The operation of the driving transmission will now be described. Upondepression of the suspension I4 when the user throws his weight on theskate under consideration, the pitman 62 will cause the lever 65 torotate about the shaft 32 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures5, 6, and '7 of the drawings. When the driving suspension is in itsuppermost position, the parts are in the positions shown in solid linesin Figure 5. The pin 15 on the pawl and the pin 15 on the frame part 26are at their maximum distance apart and the spring H is therefore undertension. Thus the pawl is urged in a counterclockwise direction aroundthe pivot and the tooth T2 is urged into engagement with the ratchetteeth 13. During the downward movement of the suspension [4 the pawltravels upwardly and drives the sprocket wheel 34 in a clockwisedirection.

Shortly after leaving the lowermost position, the relationship of thespring seats and the dimensions of the spring 'l'l cause the spring torevert from tension, through a neutral condition, to a condition ofcompression. However, the angularity of the ratchet teeth and the toothpressure under the driving force of the mechanism circumvents theexertion of the spring TI, and the pawl remains in engagement with theratchet teeth until the upward limit of movement is reached, whereuponthe ratchet-sprocket 34 continues to move and the pawl is thrown out ofengagement by the compression of the spring Ti and the surface 80 of thepawl comes in contact with the shoulder 19 (see Figure 6). This preventsthe shank end of the pawl from striking and rattling against the ratchetteeth during at least half of the return movement of the driving leveror crank 65 and the pawl. As the pawl passes beyond its mid-position andapproaches its lowermost position, the spring ll passes through neutraland comes under tension between the pins 15 and 16, and this causes thetooth 12 to reengage the ratchet teeth 13 as indicated in Figure '7 ofthe drawings. Then the upward or power stroke of the pawl is repeated asbefore.

It has already been explained that the buffer or cushion sprin 51 servesto cushion the downward movement of the driving suspension l4 when thebracket 46 strikes it and compresses it within the spring seating recess56. During the downward movement of the driving mechanism the bracket 46forces the lever 8'; downwardly thus compressing the coil spring 92between the lever portion and the base plate 83. When the pressure ofthe foot is released aesasee upon this particular skate, as the weightof the skaters body is transferred to the other foot, the spring 92through the restoring lever 8i forces the center driving suspensionupwardly to effect its return stroke. The platform 45 may be providedwith an opening or recess 95 to afford clearance for the upper end ofthe return spring assembly at the end of the down stroke.

A shroud or sheathin 98 is secured to the edges of the platform 45 andis widened where necessary to overlap the sheathing 38 which surroundsthe chassis assembly I2, under all conditions of operation.

The foot of the skater is received upon the swivelled foot rest assemblyI5 and is secured fixedly in position thereon. Preferably a boot I isprovided which may, if desired, be permanently retained upon the footrest I5. The foot rest sub-combination comprises essentially the plateIfii which is preferably provided with upstanding marginal flanges I02within which the boot we is received, and also the following elementsand combinations of elements. Straps and buckles I53 and IM may beprovided to retain the boot in place. At the rear end of the foot platean upstanding plate IE is provided and at the upper end of this plate orbracket there is pivoted, as at IE6 the rigid vertical rod Iil'I. Therod I01 extends up to about the center of the calf of the leg, and isthere provided with the rigid fork I08 which curves around the calf ofthe leg and about mid-way of the width of the calf is provided with theupstanding prongs or projections I09. At the upper end of the boot I90 aband IIB, preferably of metal, partially surrounds the leg, beingfastened to the upper portion of the boot by any suitable means such asthe rivets III. Upon each side of this band there are secured thebrackets or guides II2 which are angular in shape, the horizontal flangeII3 of which is perforated to detachably receive the prongs I09. By thismeans, it will be seen that the skaters leg is made rigid with theswivelled supporting rest I5 so far as lateral movement is concerned,the only relative movement permitted being the forward and rearwardbending of the ankle permitted by the hinge I65.

Depending downwardly from the foot plate IGI which is the principal partof the swivelled foot rest assembly I5, is the vertical spindle II5, asbest seen in Figures 4, 5, and 8. The supporting spindle H5 is mountedfor limited rotation in a horizontal plane upon the thrust bearing IIB,the swivelling movement of the foot rest I5 being limited by theabutting contact of the spaced stop lugs II? with the stop pin II8, thelugs I it being carried by the respective sides of the heel portion ofthe foot rest, and the central stop II 8 comprising a vertical pin orpro jection extending upwardly from the plate 45 of the centralsuspension, all as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawings.

Upon the lower end of the spindle I I5 there is rigidly secured thecross-arm or spreader I20 and the cross-arm is steadied and resilientlyurged toward a true transverse position by means of the pair of coilsprings I2 I, the rearward ends of the springs being secured to theunder side of the plate or platform 45 as by means of the hooks or eyesI22.

At a point toward the rear end of the driving suspension platform 45there is disposed a post I24 which projects downwardly and carries uponits lower end the swinging cross-arm I25. Semiiii iii

rigid rods, lines, or cables I26 serve to connect the respective ends ofthe cross-arms :I20 and I25 so that they are made to swivel in unisonwhenever the foot plate IilI and the spindle H5 are rotated. Anysuitable means for pivotally connecting the ends of the rods I26 to thecrossarms may be employed, one example of such connection comprising thenuts I27 which are threaded upon the bent ends of the rods which extendthrough openings in the cross-arms.

The upper end of the swivelling steering post 22 attached to the frontfork 23, and rotating in suitable bearings I28 in the frame part 2I, isprovided with a rigid cross-arm I313, similar to the cross arms I25 andI25, already described. Rods or lines I32 are pivotally connected to theoutwardly extending ends of the cross-arm E32 and extend rearwardly ofthe frame within the U-shaped yoke or bracket 35 and are passed slidablythrough the swivelied eyes I35 carried by the respective ends of thecross-arm I25 adjacent the rear end of the frame. The rods I32 projectbeyond the eyes I35 for a short distance and are provided at their endswith the nuts or stop elements I35. Between the eyes I35 and the nutsI35 are compressed the coil springs I31, and these springs being ofequal strength, provide a resilient yieldable element in the steeringarrangem-ent.

It will be readily perceived from the drawings and the specificationthus far, that the skate is adapted to be steered very readily by asimple twist of the foot and lower leg, either to the right hand or tothe left hand, and in any position of the driving suspension, whetherduring propulsion, retraction, or coasting. A rotation of the foot uponthe foot rest I5 causes the rest to swivel through the limited distancepermitted by the stops -I I7 and H3 and the cross-arm I22 carried by thelower end of the post H5 causes the rear cross-arm I25 to swivel toexactly the same degree. The swinging of the cross-arm I25 resilientlyurges the steering arm I32 to swing right or left, through the rods I 32and the resilient connection I35I3'I, and thus the front wheel 25 isswung in the direction desired. It will be readily understood that thissteering movement is permitted in any position of the driving suspensionI4, the springs I3! permitting a suitable extension of the effectivelength of the rods I32, depending upon the position of the drivingassembly. The steering wheel 25 is biased toward its straight aheadposition not only by the angularity of the steering post 22, in the sameWay that a bicycle is controlled, but the springs I2I also serve to biasthe steering system toward midposition.

The novel brake construction is shown to best advantage in Figures 9,1i), and 11 of the drawings. The flanged brake drum I48 is riveted tothe disk portion of the driving wheel 27 concentric with the hub 30, andthe brake band I42 surrounds the drum, this band having one of its endsanchored to the bifurcated frame 26 as at I43, while the free end of theband is provided with the angle bracket I44. Through the outstandingflange of the bracket I 4 3 extends the pin I45 which has an eye I46 atits opposite end, the eye being adapted to receive the pivot pin I41carried by the end of the brake lever I48. A pair of nuts Hi9 arethreaded on the pin I45 and serve for adjustment of the tension of thebrake band for a given position of the lever I68. The brake lever N38 ispivoted upon a transverse stub shaft I50 which passes through an openingin one of the side frame members 26. The forward end of the brake leverM8 enters a slot or recess I52 in the main frame portion 25 and is urgeddownwardly toward brake release position by the coil spring I68, seatedin the recess I61.

When in idle position, the end 456 of the lever M8 is adapted to restupon the upper end of the cylinder 163 which is set in an opening in theframe 2!! and projects downwardly therethrough. The cylindrical guideI53 may be provided with a flange or bracket l5? by means of which it issecured in place. The principal function of the cylinder I63 is to guidethe brake operating plunger I55 which is positioned for verticalreciprocation therein. The cylinder 163 has a portion of its side wallcut away as at I64 and through this side opening a lateral extension IE5of a member IE8 extends. The member I65, I68 is substantially L -shapedand is pivotally connected at its upper end, outside of the frame, as atH3 to the intermediate portion of a lever Hi].

The lever lift is pivotally mounted at its rear end upon the stub shaftI56 which projects outwardly of the side frame portion 25. The extremeforward end N5 of the lever is pivotally connected as at 116 with avertical link ill to which may be connected a cord I85! or handle deviceof any suitable construction by which the skater may pull upwardly uponthe lever I19 and thus rotate the main brake lever M8 in acounter-clockwise direction, through the connections E55, I58, and applythe brake bank M2 to the drum Mi It will be seen that by the presentinvention there has been provided a skate of this character whichaffords a cushioned resilient central driving suspension which isrotatable about a substantially central point in order to steer thedevice, and is vertically reciprocable in order to drive the skate, theflexible or resilient cushioning eifect being maintained under allconditions whether during prpulsion or while coasting.

Preferably the parts are so arranged and proportioned that for a personof average weight, the flexible center driving suspension, duringcoasting, is supported by the spring at a point where the pawl m isretracted from the teeth 73 of the sprocket wheel by the spring H, sothat objectionable chattering or clicking of the pawl will not occurduring this period.

It is understood that various changes and modifications may be made inthe embodiments illustrated and described herein without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, driving and steering whee"s supporting said frame, a foot restmounted on the frame for both vertical reciprocation and limited rotaryswivelling movement in a horizontal plane relative to said frame,transmission means connecting said foot rest with a driving wheel andoperative upon reciprocation of said foot rest to propel the skateforwardly, steering connections between said foot rest and a steeringwheel, said steering connections being operative upon swivelling of thefoot rest to turn the steering wheel to guide the skate, and extensibleand contractible means in said steering connections rendering thesteering connections operative in any vertically displaced poition ofthe foot rest and driving connections.

2. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, wheels supporting said frame, a foot suspension verticallyreciprocable with relation to said frame, a sprocket wheel on one ofsaid supporting wheels, a combination sprocket and ratchet wheelrotatably mounted in the frame and operatively connected with said firstnamed sprocket wheel by means of a sprocket chain, said combinationwheel comprising a peripherally flanged disk, sprockets formed on theexterior surface of the flange and ratchet teeth on the interiorthereof, an oscillating pawl carrier carried by said frame, and having aportion disposed within the flange of the combination wheel, a pawlpivotally mounted on said carrier, spring means for engaging the pawlwith one of the ratchet teeth for movement in one direction fordisengaging the pawl upon overrunning of the wheel at the end of saidmovement, and for maintaining the pawl out of engagement during at leasta portion of the return movement, and means for connecting said footsuspension with said pawl carrier.

3. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, wheels supporting said frame, a foot suspension verticallyreciprocable with relation to said frame, a sprocket wheel on one ofsaid supporting wheels, a combination sprocket and ratchet wheelrotatably mounted in the frame and operatively connected with said firstnamed sprocket wheel by means of a sprocket chain, said combinationwheel comprising a peripherally flanged disk, sprockets formed on theexterior surface of the flange and ratchet teeth on the interiorthereof, an oscillating pawl carrier carried by said frameconcentrically with said combination wheel, a pawl pivotally mounted onsaid carrier, means for engaging the pawl with one of the ratchet teethfor movement in one direction, for disengaging the pawl upon overrunningof the wheel at the end of said movement, and for maintaining the pawlout of engagement during at least a portion of the return movement, saidlast named means comprising a coil spring connecting said pawl with astationary point or said frame spaced from the center of rotation ofsaid carrier, and means for connecting said foot suspension with saidpawl carrier.

i. A propelled wheeled skate, comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, wheels supporting said frame, a vertically reciprocable footsupporting driving suspension carried by said chassis frame, and a pawland ratchet driving transmission between said suspension and one of saidwheels, said transmission including a ratchet wheel and meansoperatively connecting said wheel with said supporting Wheel, anoscillating pawl carrier and means operatively connecting said pawlcarrier with said vertical reciprocating driving suspension, means formounting said pawl carrier concentrically with said ratchet wheel, apawl pivotally mounted on said pawl carrier and engageable with theratchet teeth on said ratchet wheel, a combination tension andcompression spring connecting a point on said pawl with a point on saidfrane eccentrically of said pawl carrier, whereby said connected pointsare closest together when said pawl is at one end of its power strokeand farthest apart when it is at the other end of said stroke, theneutral condition and dimensions of said spring being such that thespring is under stress in one direction or the 9, other to urge saidpawl out of engagement with the ratchet teeth during at least half ofthe return stroke and at the end of said power stroke, and under stressin the opposite sense to bias the pawl into engagement at the end ofsaid return stroke.

5. In a propelled wheeled skate of the class described, in combination,a chassis frame, supporting wheels therefor, a foot supporting drivingsuspension having a vertical rod received within an opening in saidchassis frame for vertical reciprocation therein, a driving transmissionoperatively connecting said driving suspension and one of said wheels, acoil return spring acting between said chassis frame and said drivingsuspension to raise the latter during the return stroke, an operativemounting for said return spring comprising a base plate upon which thelower end of the spring is seated, a connecting plate hinged to one endof said base plate, a restoring lever hinged to said connecting plate,overlying and bearing upon said spring, and having an end in pivotalcontact with a portion of said driving suspension, whereby downwardmovement of said suspension compresses said spring between said leverand said base plate.

6. In a propelled wheeled skate of the class described, in combination,a chassis frame, supporting wheels therefor, a foot supporting drivingsuspension having a vertical rod received within an opening in saidchassis frame for vertical reciprocation therein, a driving transmissionoperatively connecting said driving suspension and one of said wheels, acoil return spring acting between said chassis frame and said drivingsuspension to raise the latter during the return stroke, an operativemounting for; said return spring comprising a base plate upon which thelower end of the spring is seated, a connecting plate hinged to one endof said base plate, an angular restoring lever hinged to said connectingplate, overlying and bearing upon said spring, and having an end inpivotal contact with a portion of said driving suspension, wherebydownward movement of said suspension compresses said spring between saidlever and said base plate, and a supplemental spring connecting saidbase plate and said connecting plate to maintain them at substantiallyright angles.

7. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, driving and steering wheels supporting said frame, a verticallyreciprocating foot supporting driving suspension comprising asubstantially horizontal platform and a vertical rod rigidly connectedwith said platform and received for vertical reciprocating movementwithin an opening within said chassis frame, driving transmission meansoperatively connecting said driving suspension with a driving wheel, asubstantially horizontally disposed foot supporting plate swivelled insaid platform for limited pivotal movement in a horizontal plane, andsteering connections passing through said platform and operativelyconnecting said foot plate to a steering wheel.

8. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, driving and steering wheels supporting said frame, a verticallyreciprocating foot supporting driving suspension comprising asubstantially horizontal platform, a U-shaped bracket depending fromsaid platform and a vertical rod rigidly connecting with said platformby means of said bracket and received for vertical reciprocatingmovement within an opening within said chassis frame, driv- 10 ingtransmission means operatively connecting said driving suspension with adriving wheel, a substantially horizontally disposed foot supportingplate swivelled in said platform for limited pivotal movement in ahorizontal plane, steering connections passing through said platform andthrough said U-shaped bracket and operatively connecting said foot plateto a steering wheel, extensible and contractible portions in saidsteering connections permitting steering in all positions of saiddriving suspension.

9. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a wheelsupported chassis frame, a vertical reciprocating foot supportingdriving suspension operatively carried by said chassis frame, and adriving transmission between said foot suspension and one of saidwheels, a skirtlike sheathing carried by said chassis frame andenveloping the greater part of the chassis and driving mechanism,another skirt-like sheathing surrounding and depending from said footsuspension, overlapping and telescoping with said first named sheathing.

10. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, driving and steering wheels supporting said frame, a footsupporting driving suspension mounted on said frame and comprising aplatform arranged for vertical reciprocation relative thereto, a drivingtransmission operatively connecting said vertically reciprocatingsuspension with one of said wheels, a foot supporting plate disposedabove said platform and having a downwardly extending spindle passingthrough and having bearings in an opening in said platform, asubstantially horizontal spreader bar carried by said spindle beneathsaid platform, and. extensible steering rods operatively connecting saidbar with a steering wheel.

11. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, a driving and a steering wheel supporting said frame, a swivelledfork for said steering wheel and a horizontal steering arm carried bysaid fork, a foot supporting driving suspension mounted on said frameand comprising a platform arranged for vertical reciprocation relativethereto, a driving transmission operatively connecting said verticallyreciprocating suspension with one of said wheels, a foot supportingplate disposed above said platform and having a downwardly extendingspindle passing through and having bearings in an opening in saidplatform, a substantially horizontal spreader bar carried by saidspindle beneath said platform, a cross-arm pivoted at its center at apoint on the rearward portion of said platform, steering linesconnecting the respective ends of said spreader bar and said cross-arm,and steering lines connecting the respective ends of said cross-arm andsaid steering-arm on the steering wheel fork.

12. In a wheeled skate of the class described, in combination, a footrest, an upwardly extending rigid bar pivoted at the rear end of saidfoot rest for swinging movement in a fore and aft plane only, aforwardly extending fork rigidly carried by the upper end of said barand adapted to partially embrace the calf of the skaters leg, a bandadapted to surround the calf and provided with brackets on each sidetheneof, and detachable connections between said fork and said brackets.

13. A propelled wheeled skate comprising, in combination, a chassisframe, driving and steering wheels supporting said frame, a foot rest11" mounted on the frame for both vertical reciprocation and limitedrotary swivelling movement in a horizontal plane relative to said frame,driving connections between said foot rest with a driving Wheel andoperative upon reciprocation of said foot rest to propel the skateforwardly, steering connections between said foot rest and. a steeringWheel, said steering connections being operative upon swivelling of thefoot rest to turn the steering Wheel to guide the skate, and means insaid steering connections rendering the steering connections operativein any vertically displaced position of the foot rest and said drivingconnections.

EDWARD L. PURKEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fiie ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 499,052 Storla June 6, 1893 587.837 Latimer Aug. 10, 1397 732,120 Schmidt June 30, 1903 883,100 Wells HOct. 9, 1906 1,628,004 Stetson May 10, 1927

